Marble Altar Set Saved

Kansas City- This altar set was in bad shape when we discovered in a soon to be demolished hospital. We received a call from the diocese in hopes that we would know of someone who would like to dismantle it and return it to use. Through serious negotiation we were able to get it dismantled and moved to another chapel. The original chapel dated to 1870s and was serviced by a very old freight elevator. In its glory days the chapel was quite beautiful but through the course of time and disuse the chapel crumbled. At last use the chapel was used as a day care and the children had had their use with the altar pieces. The removal process was very sketchy. The freight elevator was located in a tight corner at the back of the chapel. We had to maneuver large sections of marble around the tight corners and hope the freight elevator would hold. It too was as old as the chapel. We took the risk of getting stuck in the shaft and possibly losing sections of the altar if the elevator decided not to work again. The original mensa was sledgehammered and destroyed. Only the rerados remained and the two side altars were thankfully left intact. 

Throughout the following weeks we were able to remove the entire altar and side altars and other various components of the chapel including a beautiful carved choir loft.

The altar is used today and adorns another sacred space. Sadly, the original owners wanted the altar to go down with the building. However, the new owners wanted it saved. So that is what we did.